Publication Date: 2021/05/13
Abstract: Black rot and scab diseases of apple are caused by fungus and they are highly economic important disease to the farmers. It reduces the production and the quality of apple at both pre and postharvest period. This research was conducted to ascertain the antifungal effect of Azadiracta indica leaves extract on diseased apple fruit. The samples (apple fruit) were analyzed and examined using standard laboratory procedures. Ethanol was used in extraction of Azadiracta indica (neem) leaf while chloramphenicol was used as control. The result of the analysis showed fungual pathogen such as Aspergillus spp, Fusarium spp and Venturia inaequalis were found to cause rot and scab on apple fruit. The result also showed that ethanol extract of Azadiracta indica leaf extract tend to have more inhibitory effect on these organisms. The highest inhibitory effect by Azadiracta indica (neem) leaf extract showed on Venturia inaequalis (15. 8mm) and lowest on Aspergillus spp (11.2 mm) at 6mg/ml while the highest good inhibitory effect by chloramphenicol on Venturia inaequalis was 9.1mm and lowest on Aspergillus spp was 6.2mm. This showed that the neem leaf extract have antifungal properties that can be helpful in the control and management of scab fungi of apple fruit. Therefore, this study recommended that neem extract should be adopted by farmers in the control of black rot and scab fungi in apple, as this method of control is much safe and efficient.
Keywords: Fungi, Black rot, Venturia inaequalis.
DOI: No DOI Available
PDF: https://ijirst.demo4.arinfotech.co/assets/upload/files/IJISRT21APR362.pdf
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